Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

Lunar rover displayed at Yerevan exhibition

news.am
October 05, 2012 | 17:32

YEREVAN.- The students of the Yerevan State University presented a
moon robot at DigiTec exhibition held in Armenian capital, Yerevan.

The moon rover, made by Armen Ghukasyan and Gurgen Hovhannisyan, is
equipped with a scanner with a radius of 240 degrees – 120 on each
side. The vehicle can overcome barriers, make videos and send them to
the Earth.

The constructers are confident that it is quite possible to produce
lunar rovers in Armenia if there is demand.

The vehicle was exhibited in the National Instruments booth.

The eighth annual DigiTec Information and Telecommunication
Technologies Expo got underway on Friday.

From: Baghdasarian

Swiss parliamentarian is grateful to Azerbaijan for being included in
its `black list’

18:38, 5 October, 2012

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 5, ARMENPRESS: International community is not much
aware of the situation in NKR. As reports Armenpress, the co-chairman
of the Armenia-Switzerland parliamentarian team Ueli Leuenberger when
answering the journalists’ questions noted that the aim of their
delegation’s visit to NKR was to get acquainted with real situation to
have more serious impact on international community. Ueli Leuenberger
agreed with the observation of journalists that NKR citizen can not be
at ease in Azerbaijan, country where a murderer can be released and
proclaimed as a hero. Refraining from other comments he said `I am
sure that this issue will be discussed on international level’.

The co-chairman of the Armenia-Switzerland parliamentarian team
Dominique de Byuman underlined that during the whole history of
humankind executive authorities have made decisions on the fate of the
nation, almost never neglecting its aspirations and assured that NKR
was a vivid example.

Interlocutors also referred to the practice used by Azerbaijani
authorities, including NKR foreign visitors to their `persona non
grata list’. `We are the guests of Armenia and are representing our
country, which is famous for its neutrality. We don’t reserve the
right to interfere in the internal affairs of any nation or country’
noted Dominique de Byuman. Swiss parliamentarian made a humorous note,
saying that taking his age he could not travel all over the world and
visiting NKR he just appeared in the `black list’ of Azerbaijan. He
informed that they initially knew Azerbaijan’s position over their
visit to NKR. Interlocutors assured that the situation would change
when NKR nation itself started to live in democratic system.

From: Baghdasarian

Turkey has no legislation banning import of Armenian goods, but it has
artificial obstacles

arminfo
Friday, October 5, 17:29

Turkey has no legislation banning import of Armenian goods, but it
has artificial obstacles, Arthur Ghazaryan, Director of the Program
“Cooperation improving Armenian-Turkish relations”, Union of
Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Armenia, said behind the scenes of
the 4th Armenian-Turkish Business Conference in Yerevan October 5-6.

He recounted that some three years ago there was an attempt to export
goods made in Armenia that were registered as a Georgian cargo. The
customs clearance of the cargo took 4 months, and the Armenian
exporter face long legal procedures and red-taping.

“Our goal is to lift the informal embargo on import of Armenian goods
and the artificial obstacles to customs clearance on the
Armenian-Turkish border,” Ghazaryan said.

Asked if it is reasonable to embargo import of Turkish goods,
Ghazaryan said that development of economic relations of Armenia and
Turkey requires constructive solution. In conditions of no diplomatic
relations, trade and economic relations are so far the only possible
way to achieve opening of the border. He said that Turkish
businessmen are interested in building materials and stones, water and
tobacco made in Armenia.

Ghazaryan recalled that the commodity turnover with Turkey for Jan-Dec
2011 totaled nearly $242 mln (up 14.2% versus Jan-Dec 2010). The share
of import from Turkey totaled $240.7 mln (up 14.4%). Export of
Armenian goods to Turkey was insignificant and even fell 18.7% over
the year.

By data of the National Statistical Service of Armenia, unfavorable
balance of trade with Turkey fell 12.5% for Jan-Aug 2012 versus the
same period of 2011 to $125.5 mln. The commodity turnover with Turkey
for the period under review totaled $126.7 mln, with a 12.5% decline.
Import of goods from Turkey totaled $126.1 mln (down 12.5%), with
export making up an insignificant part of total turnover (down 18.1%).

The 4th Armenian-Turkish two-day business conference kicked off in
Yerevan on October 5. The event organizer is the UIEA with the
support of USAID, Eurasian Partnership Foundation, and International
Center for Human Development. The Black Sea Trust for Regional
Cooperation (BST), Marshal Foundation, is co-financing the event. Over
50 Turkish businessmen from Eastern regions of Turkey are invited to
the conference.

From: Baghdasarian

Armenian Media Ahead of the Genocide Centennial

Friday, October 5th, 2012

Genocide Museum director Haig Demoyan speaks at the opening of the
Pan-Armenian media conference in Yerevan (photo by Nora Parseghian)

BY ARA KHACHATOURIAN

YEREVAN – The 6th Pan-Armenian Media conference kicked off Thursday in
Yereven, with the aim of discussing challenges facing the Armenian
media ahead of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
Organized by Armenia’s Diaspora Ministry, some 150 representatives of
print, broadcast and online media have converged on Armenia for a
three day conference.

The conference opened on Thursday at the Yerevan State University
Yeghgishe Charents Hall with welcoming remarks from Diaspora Minister
Hranoush Hakopyan and was followed by welcoming messages from
President Serzh Sarkisian, Nagorno-Karabakh Republic President Bako
Sahakian, the Catholicos of All Armenians, the Catholicos of the Great
House of Cilicia and others.

The conference participant had an opportunity to attend a session of
Armenia’s governmnet and visit the Dzidzernagapert Armenian Genocide
Memorial Monument and Museum, befor leaving for Aghavnadzor to
continue the three-day conference.

Various presentations ranging from the role of the press ahead of the
Genocide Centennial, as well as assessment of the coverage of the
Armenian Genocide in non-Armenian press in the West, the Middle East,
Turkey and elsewhere, will serve as a basis for a final announcement
to be adopted at the conclusion of the conference.

Asbarez Armenian Editor Apo Boghikian and I are representing the
Western Region Armenian Revolutionary Federation press and will have
our analysis at the conclusion of the meeting.

The one theme, which has been echoed from the beginning of the
conference is the Armenian Genocide Cennetenial and common denominator
to bring together all Armenians ahead of this milestone. The
conference participants are echoing that sentiment, with the
additional focus of the role of the media in not just gernering the
international recognition of the Armenian Genocide, but also to
amplify our demands for reparations and justice as the main political
reality of the Genocide.

However, there seems to be a push to discourage the Armenian media
from identifying – and more importantly covering – other aspects of our
Armenian reality, such the current socio-political state of Armenia
and resulting socio-economic crisis facing Armenia. We are being told
that by covering those `negative’ aspects of the Armenian reality will
provide ammunition to our neighbors – Turkey and Azerbaijan – to further
their anti-Armenian agenda.

This, of course, is a somewhat of a pedestrian approach to coverage of
issues and goes counter to the norms and ethics of journalism to not
cover issues for fear of providing ammunition to your enemies, who,
for all intents and purposes, are not waiting for coverage of
non-Genocide issues in order to advance their denialist and
anti-Armenian policies.

One simple solution to minimize and end negative coverage of the
current socio-political situation in Armenia is that those responsible
for causing those headline – namely the governmnet of Armenis – to end its
pillage of the national wealth and enact reforms that would be
beneficial not just for the citizens of Armenia but the entire
Armenian nation.

The best approach to confronting the challenges ahead of the Genocide
Centennial is to end the rhetoric and the unrealistic expectations to
veil the reality and take measures to correct the wrongs that generate
those `negative’ stories. That is the true challenge.

From: Baghdasarian

Reception on Armenian Independence held in Washington

14:07, 5 October, 2012

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, ARMENPRESS: An official reception, dedicated to
the 21st anniversary of the Armenian Independence was held at the
Embassy of the Republic of Armenia to the United States on October 4.
As Armenpress was reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the
Republic of Armenia, the event was attended by the high-ranking
officials from the White House, the Department of State, US and other
agencies, as well as the heads of diplomatic representative offices
and diplomats accredited in Washington, representatives of the social
and political circles, officials of the Armenian Apostolic Church, as
well as the members of the American Armenian community.

More than 200 guests, present at the reception, addressed their
congratulations and the best wishes to Armenia and the Armenian
nation.

From: Baghdasarian

INDEPENDENT MP READY TO HELP CIVILITAS AND OSKANIAN

Panorama.am
13:32 04/10/2012 ” Politics

Independent MP Edmon Marukyan, who voted against the petition by
the Armenian Prosecutor General to strip PAP MP Vartan Oskanian of
immunity, has expressed his support for the Civilitas Foundation and
Vartan Oskanian.

“I have expressed my support for the Civilitas Foundation and Oskanian
personally. If necessary, I am ready to help them as a representative
of civil society,” the lawmaker told Panorama.am.

As a lawyer, he meanwhile declined to comment on the legal bases of
Armenian Prosecutor General’s petition.

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN FORMER FM CASE AIMED AT PAP LEADER AND SECOND PRESIDENT – POLITICAL SCIENTIST

news.am
October 04, 2012 | 12:10

YEREVAN. – The processes in connection with The Civilitas Foundation
founder, former FM, and Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) MP Vartan
Oskanian are directed at others such as PAP leader Gagik Tsarukyan and
second President Robert Kocharyan, Regional Studies Center Director,
political analyst Richard Giragosian said during a press conference
on Thursday.

As per Giragosian, the first noteworthy factor on this case is the
principle of “presumption of innocence.” “The Government has to
take steps to prove that Oskanian is innocent. Even the Prosecutor
General doesn’t understand the real meaning of the case. This is
not money laundering; it has never been and will not be such,” the
analyst maintained.

The second factor which Richard Giragosian stressed is the timing,
which is very suspicious. “Yes, this is a politicized process,”
he noted.

The political scientist’s third conclusion is that there are lots
more and more serious violations committed by the MPs in parliament,
specifically by the oligarchs. Giragosian believes this is a test
for Armenia’s rule of law and for its international standing and
reputation.

“The Armenian Government is intentionally or unintentionally elevating
Oskanian as a political victim. [And Prosecutor General] Aghvan
Hovsepyan is intentionally or unintentionally helping Oskanian in
the presidential elections [next year],” Richard Giragosian said.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, the National Assembly on
Tuesday voted-by 64 ballots for, six against, and with one invalid
vote-in favor of Prosecutor General’s petition to include Vartan
Oskanian as a defendant in a criminal lawsuit. A total of 71 MPs
participated in the voting.

To note, on May 25 the National Security Service (NSS) Department of
Investigation filed a criminal lawsuit on charges of money laundering
with respect to The Civilitas Foundation.

The NSS Press Center had informed that an investigation is underway
in connection with selling the 100-percent shares of the Huntsman
Building Products Company for around $2 million, but not informing
Armenia’s tax authorities about this business deal; not using for
charitable purposes $1,135,000 of that amount envisioned for charity;
transferring this amount to the bank accounts opened under the names
of the Civilitas Foundation’s founder Vartan Oskanian, and of the
Foundation’s Board of Trustees member Tigran Karapetyan; and using
some of this amount for private purposes.

In addition, as per the NSS Press Center, The Civilitas Foundation
had not presented a report on the $2 million allocated for charitable
purposes. In his turn, Vartan Oskanian considers the charges to be
politically motivated.

The Civilitas Foundation was founded in 2008 by Vartan Oskanian. After
joining Prosperous Armenia Party ahead of the May 6 parliamentary
elections, however, Oskanian gave up his post as the Foundation
Chairman.

From: Baghdasarian

POLITICS KILLS ART: DJIVAN GASPARYAN TOLD BBC

2012-10-04 12:52:50

Legendary player of the duduk Djivan Gasparyan performed in London’s
Barbarican concert hall with Iranian Hossein Alizadeh, reports BBC
particularly stating that cooperation of the musicians has lasted
for more than 10 years. 84 year-old Gasparyan continues his active
musical activity performing with the quartet of duduk players, among
which his grandson Djivan is also playing. Before the concert BBC
reporter Mark Grigorian talked to the world-famous musician.

During the conversation, replying to the reporter’s question whether
there are geographical borders for the duduk player, Djivan Gasparyan
particularly stated: “I perform with Iranian, Turkish and Azeri
musicians, there are no any geographical borders for my music. I
don’t have any problem with any of those nations. I’m a man of art,
I don’t interfere with politics, it’s already 73 years that I’ve been
performing as a professional musician.”

Touching upon his performance with Azeri singer Alim Kasimov 9 years
ago in London, Gasparyan said Kasimov is a great musician, remembering
that he was frequently performing with famous singers of Baku like
Bulbul (Azeri opera singer, one of the founders of Azeri national
music theater), Said Rustamov, Khan Shushinski, Shovket Alekperova:
that time friendship established between the musicians. “We were good
friends, but now very unpleasant things go on, of course, all that
is politics. Politics kills art, artists shouldn’t have connection
with politics. Nations commonly should love one another and not kill.

Mafiosos misinform miserable nations, intoxicate them and dispose
them against one another, and then begin to accumulate money on
that account.”

Why should we take weapons? Why should we kill people? We love peace,
we love to sing and ato dance, don’t we?

This is how nations should live and be friends,” Djivan Gasparyan
concluded.

From: Baghdasarian

FORMER POLITICAL PRISONER WINS LAWSUIT IN EUROPEAN COURT AGAINST ARMENIAN

NEWS.AM
October 03, 2012 | 17:32

YEREVAN. – European Court of Human Rights cast a verdict against
Armenia and for benefit of former Armenia’s political prisoner and
Arstakh [Nagorno-Karabakh] liberating war participant and Commander
Zhirayr Sefilyan. Sefilyan was arrested in December 2006 and accused
for making public appeals on changing the constitutional order through
violence. He was imprisoned till June 2008.

The European Court stated that decoding the phone calls of the Artsakh
war participant and former commander Sefilyan for months since 2006
summer and keeping him in jail for about 8 months were realized with
violation of the European Convention of Human Rights. According to the
article 5, the right to liberty and security is secured, while Article
8 secures the right of private and family life, Radio Liberty reports.

Hence, the Republic of Armenia is to compensate Sefilyan with 6,000
euro for the violations.

From: Baghdasarian

PRESIDENT OF BELARUS PLANS TO BRING GEORGIA BACK TO CIS

tert.am
04.10.12

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko plans to bring Georgia back
to the CIS, Russian vz.ru reports.

“I think next year the CIS summit will more probably take place in
Minsk, that is why I will do everything to return Georgia back to
the CIS,” Lukashenko told Mir TV.

Lukashenko stressed that “it will not be a great workload for Georgian
political figures.” “I am convinced that even if Saakashvili’s party
won in the poll next year Georgia would have become CIS member,”
Belarusian president said.

Georgia joint the CIS in late 1993 and pulled out in 2008 after
Russian-Georgian war.

From: Baghdasarian